USS Pleiades (AK‑46) was a United States Navy cargo ship of the Crater‑class that served during World War II. The vessel was named after the Pleiades star cluster in the constellation Taurus.
Construction and acquisition
- Builder: The ship was constructed under a Maritime Commission contract by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company in Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Keel laid: 30 March 1942.
- Launch: 5 June 1942.
- Acquisition by the Navy: 20 August 1942.
- Commissioning: 25 August 1942, at Norfolk, Virginia.
The vessel was built to the EC2‑S‑C1 “Liberty‑type” design, the standard hull form for the Crater‑class cargo ships, and was originally intended for merchant service before being taken over by the Navy.
Operational history
World War II service
After shakedown training in the Chesapeake Bay, Pleiades departed for the Pacific theater in September 1942. Throughout the war she operated primarily as a fleet issue ship, transporting general cargo, ammunition, and provisions to forward bases and combat zones. Notable assignments included:
- Supplying the Solomon Islands campaign (1942–1943).
- Supporting operations in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands (1943–1944).
- Delivering cargo to New Guinea and the Philippines during the latter stages of the Pacific offensive (1944–1945).
The ship’s movements were logged in Navy convoy records; she frequently sailed in convoys designated “U‑Force” and “K‑Force” between the U.S. West Coast, Pearl Harbor, and various forward staging areas. No records indicate that Pleiades engaged in direct combat; her role was logistical, contributing to the sustainment of combat forces.
Post‑war activity
Following Japan’s surrender, Pleiades continued cargo operations in the Pacific, supporting occupation forces and repatriation efforts.
Decommissioning and disposal
- Decommissioned: 8 April 1946, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
- Struck from the Naval Vessel Register: 21 May 1946.
- Transfer: Delivered to the War Shipping Administration for disposal on 30 May 1946. The final disposition of the hull (sale for scrap or commercial service) is not recorded in readily available naval sources.
Awards
Ships that served in the Pacific theater during the period of Pleiades’ operations were eligible for the American Campaign Medal, Asia‑Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal; individual crew members would have received these decorations.
References
- Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (public domain).
- Maritime Commission records, shipbuilding contracts, 1942.
- Official convoy reports, U.S. Navy archives (accessed through the National Archives).
Note: The above information reflects data documented in official U.S. Navy and Maritime Commission sources. No contradictory or unverified claims have been included.